2023 Mock Draft 5.0: Commanders take SEC superstar with first-round pick

The Washington Commanders have plenty of needs during the upcoming offseason, but what the front office will focus on and what the fans prefer could be two distinctly different philosophies.

After eleven games, the Washington Commanders have a winning record.  That was not on anyone’s radar after a 1-4 start to the season.  Talk of acquiring a higher draft pick in 2023 has turned into conversations about the playoffs, starting quarterback, and the emergence of young players.  Following Sunday’s victory over the Houston Texans, the Commanders are now 6-5 and with winning five of the last six games, playing later into January is becoming a realistic goal.

Today’s focus for us is the 2023 offseason and the NFL Draft.  Welcome to Mock 5.0 – it is time for our bi-monthly look at the college prospects and examine which players could be a suitable fit for the Burgundy and Gold.  We have some major changes for you today, including a major correction from previous mock drafts – you will notice it a bit later.  Too, you will see a major philosophical shift today and it will be a very obvious change in the early rounds.

There will be only one trade in this mock, but it will be a significant trade as you will see.  This front office has a knack for trading during the draft and finding hidden gems in the latter rounds.  We hope to tap into that ability today.  Let’s get started!

***Round One***

Today, we will have three very special first round picks.  It’s the least we can do.  On Nov. 13, three members of the University of Virginia football team were murdered by a former player on the team.  We honor them today with first round selections.

• Devin Chandler, Wide Receiver, Virginia
• Lavel Davis, Jr., Wide Receiver, Virginia
• D’Sean Perry, Linebacker, Virginia

In memory of 1, 15, and 41.

Round One

Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia

Cornerbacks continue to be featured in the first round of these mocks and today is no exception.  Benjamin St-Juste is developing into a very good corner, but he is not what many analysts would consider to be a CB1.  Former Commanders corner William Jackson III was expected to fill that role, but he was a free agent bust and is now on injured reserve with the Steelers.

Kelee Ringo should be able to step into the CB1 role from day one.  He can cover along the perimeter.  He can cover on the boundary and along the blue line effectively.  He can cover in zone and man coverage – needed traits in today’s NFL.

Round Two

***Trade***

The Commanders trade down in round two and add a third rounder and a fifth round selection.

Jaelyn Duncan, Offensive Tackle, Maryland

There has been plenty of chatter on social media and rumors of coaches wanting to move right tackle Sam Cosmi to right guard.  However, Jaelyn Duncan is a left tackle and that is probably his best fit in the NFL. At 6-6, 320 pounds, this Terrapin has the size and power to start from day one.  Youth and power is needed on the offensive line and Duncan is certainly blessed with these attributes.

Charles Leno is the starter at left tackle, but he will be 32 next season and has experienced a few lapses this season.  Would he be willing to take a backup role and reduce his cap hit a bit?  If not, Duncan can easily slide into the right tackle position and move to left tackle after Leno retires or signs elsewhere.

Round Three

Darnell Washington, Tight End, Georgia

The tight end production for the Commanders in 2022 is not what the coaches were expecting.  Logan Thomas is still recovering from his 2021 injury and is far removed from his 2020 level of play.  John Bates is a superb blocker, but offers very little as a receiving tight end.  Armani Rodgers is currently on injured reserve and Cole Turner can’t seem to shake his various injuries.

The Commanders will like Darnell Washington.  He is similar in size to the current tight end corps and could have an immediate impact.  Washington is behind two of the better tight ends in the nation, but he would be a starter with solid production at other Power Five programs.  Also, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the team moving on from Logan Thomas after this season.  He had a solid game against the Texans last Sunday, but it wouldn’t hurt to have another talented tight end on the roster in 2023.

Round Three (Compensatory Pick)

Steve Avila, Offensive Guard, Texas Christian

The offensive line had a shaky start to the season, but the unit has improved in recent weeks.  There is still a need to add quality and talent on the line during the offseason.  Guards Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell run hot and cold and both veterans have seen a dip in their overall production this season.   Depth is also a concern and players like Wes Schweitzer, Willie Beavers, and Nolan Laufenberg spend more time on injured reserve than on the playing field.  Chris Paul likely needs another year of learning about life in the NFL.

The addition of Steve Avila from current powerhouse TCU would be a solid addition.  At 6-4, 335, Avila certainly possesses the size profile that fits what the Rivera regime is looking for in its interior linemen.  Avila can play either guard position or center if needed.  His versatility and solid abilities in the rushing offense and passing game likely makes him a starter from day one.

Round Four

Isaiah Moore, Linebacker, North Carolina State

The linebacker depth for the Commanders this season is thin and it has been an issue at times.  Cole Holcomb (when healthy) and Jamin Davis have become a solid tandem, but the depth is very questionable.  David Mayo, Jon Bostic, and Nate Gerry are on their last legs and have little to nothing left in the gas tank.  De’Jon Harris and Nate Gerry are practice squad players at best.  Milo Eifler (IR) is still unproven.

Isaiah Moore of N.C. State is not the flashiest of linebackers, but he is a solid player who will provide a team with plenty of tackles, snag an interception, cause a fumble or two, give you a sack when needed, defend passes effectively, and stuff the running back short of the first down marker.  He could become a starter within two or three years, but his role is likely to be as a rotational player and valuable backup.

Round Five

Jalen Graham, Linebacker/Safety, Purdue

Kamren Curl has become one of the best strong safeties in the league with his hybrid skills, but it never hurts to have a solid backup and rotational option as well.  Jalen Graham is a superb hybrid type of player and could fill that role effectively.  He was something of an unknown heading into this season, but the fourth year senior has shined in 2022.

Graham is something of a Kam Curl clone.  He is a sure tackler, a ball hawk, a run stuffer, and can occasionally register a sack.  Like many of the latter round gems that the Commanders have discovered in recent years, Graham has true potential at the next level, but he will need a year to adjust to the NFL.

Hendon Hooker, Quarterback, Tennessee

In mock 4.0, we had Hendon Hooker listed as a first round target (following a trade), but his fortunes have changed in recent days.  Hooker suffered a torn ACL against South Carolina and his college career is over.  That is the risk for talented early round prospects and it is simply rotten luck for this talented player.

It’s a cruel reality, but Hooker’s draft stock will plummet and he could miss his rookie season in 2023.  The Commanders should take a chance here and draft the former Heisman Trophy candidate.  Hooker is a bit older for an NFL rookie, but the risk at this juncture is worth it.

Round Six

Note: In the first four mocks, we failed to recognize that the Commanders will have a sixth round compensatory pick.  Apologies for the error.

Henry Bainivalu, Offensive Guard, Washington

We list Henry Bainivalu in a second straight mock draft and for a very good reason.  He is a decent prospect with potential.  Here is what we said about him two weeks ago:

"Henry Bainivalu of the Washington Huskies would add plenty of size and excellent depth for the other Washington.  At 6-7, 330 pounds, he certainly fits what the current coaching staff is looking for in a guard."

Round Six (Compensatory Pick)

Cory Trice, Cornerback, Purdue

When going up against the quality competition in the Big Ten conference, late-round prospects have a chance to impress NFL scouts.  That is precisely what Cory Trice has done in 2022.  The numbers are not gaudy, but he is a solid defender and should be a good special teams ace.  At 6-3, 215 Trice’s size is intriguing to teams looking for cornerback depth.

Round Seven

Ronnie Bell, Wide Receiver, Michigan

Like most wide receivers that are late-round prospects, Ronnie Bell’s modest statistics are solid.  Nothing about him screams “spectacular”, but he is a dependable receiver when the ball is thrown his way.  At 6-0, 190 pounds, Bell should be able to carve out a role as a special teams player and work his way into the receiver rotation within two or three years.

Commanders 2023 NFL Draft Thoughts

• The Commanders currently own the 17th overall pick in the first round.  That number will fluctuate with any victories or losses.  If Washington is able to grab a playoff slot, they will pick no lower than 19th.
• If Carson Wentz does return next year, it will need to be on a much friendlier team contract.

• The contract status of Daron Payne could be tied to the Carson Wentz situation.  It will be interesting to see how it will play out in the offseason.
• Logan Thomas had a solid game against the Texans.  If he continues to improve, drafting a tight end next spring could be off the table.

Mock 6.0 is already being prepared and it will be here in about two weeks.  See you as we go along.